Her first song was Over the Rainbow, Judy’s signature song, but this time was different. Every note was sung with pain. Every word was like a struggle to hold on to life. The audience was mesmerized. They felt how special this performance was, but they didn’t know it was a farewell. In the middle of the second song, Dean saw Judy’s legs trembling.
Her head swayed slightly. Her eyes couldn’t focus. This wasn’t simple exhaustion. This was the process of body systems shutting down. Dean was on high alert at the side of the stage. He put his hand to his microphone, prepared to take the stage, but Judy finished her song and the audience applauded enthusiastically. “Thank you,” Judy said into the microphone.
Her voice was very weak, but the audience could hear. “Tonight, tonight is very special because being with you,” her sentence trailed off. Judy Garland released the microphone stand. She took two steps and collapsed in the middle of the stage. 2,800 people held their breath at the same time. Dean Martin couldn’t remember running so fast in his life.
He reached the stage in 3 seconds. Judy was on the ground unconscious, struggling to breathe. The audience was in shock. Was this a performance? Was this one of Judy’s dramatic shows? Dean knelt on the floor, checked Judy’s pulse. Very weak, irregular. Her eyes were open but unfocused. Judy, can you hear me? Dean whispered. Judy’s lips moved.
She made a very weak sound. Dean, am I am I dying? Dean’s heart stopped. This question could be Judy’s final words, and she had asked it in front of 2,800 people. No, Dean lied. You’re going to be fine. I’m getting you out of here. Dean Martin lifted Judy Garland into his arms. The 44year-old woman weighed almost nothing.
Dean carried her standing as if they were dancing. The audience still didn’t understand what they were witnessing. Dean came to the microphone with a smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, Judy Garland,” he said in a playful tone. “This woman is so talented. She’s being dramatic even while singing.” The audience began to laugh. They applauded.
They thought this was one of Judy’s dramatic performances. Dean walked toward the side of the stage while holding Judy in his arms. And now this beautiful woman is going backstage to rest a bit. But first, a round of applause for her. The Copa Cabana gave a standing ovation for both of them for this magnificent performance.
But Dean knew the truth. Those were the final applause for Judy Garland. Backstage, Dean seated Judy in a chair. Judy’s eyes were open but blurry. I’m calling an ambulance. Dean reached for the phone. No. Judy screamed with all her strength. No ambulance. The press will notice. This will end my career.
Dean looked at her. This woman was dying and still thinking about her career. Judy, you need a doctor. My doctor is Dr. Steinfeld. Call him. He’ll come privately. Judy’s voice was getting weaker and weaker. Dean called Dr. Steinfeld. The doctor was there in 20 minutes. His examination confirmed Dean’s worst fears. Dr.
Steinfeld pulled Dean to the corner of the room. His face was very serious. Mr. Martin, Miss Garland’s condition is critical. Her heart is very weak. Her liver is barely functioning. And the doctor stopped. And what? And she could die tonight. Her system is shutting down. Dean went numb. How much time does she have? Days, maybe weeks. But Mr.
Martin, this woman’s will to live is very strong. She wants to continue performing. That’s what’s keeping her alive. A horrible truth came to Dean’s mind. Judy Garland preferred to die on stage, and Dean had witnessed it. But the conversation between Dr. Steinfeld and Dean that night was much more than just a medical assessment. It would be a secret pact to protect Judy Garland.
And this pact would continue until her death. Mr. Martin, Dr. Steinfeld spoke in a serious tone. We have a responsibility to Miss Garland. This woman is a public figure. Her death could create scandal. What do you mean? I mean this. If this woman dies on stage, the media will tear her apart. Stories of alcohol, drugs, mental illness.
She’ll be remembered in ways she doesn’t want to be remembered. Dean understood. What do you want from me? Protect her. Let her continue performing. But watch her. If she has another crisis like this, soften the situation. Prevent the audience from noticing. Dean Martin thus became Judy Garland’s secret guardian. And this duty would be much harder than he imagined.
For the 6 months after that night, Dean Martin followed every performance of Judy Garland. And each time he lived through the same scene. May 15th, 1967, Palace Theater. Judy fainted on stage. Dean again carried her away. He told the audience, “This woman is so passionate she loses herself while singing.
” July 22th, 1967. Carnegie Hall. Judy forgot the lyrics. Dean came on stage and sang a duet with her. The audience thought it was a spontaneous collaboration and applauded. September 3, 1967, Hollywood Bowl. Judy started crying in the middle of a song. Dean pulled her to the side of the stage and explained, “This woman feels this song so deeply.
” Every time Dean concealed Judy’s condition with a mask of comedy and professionalism. The audience never learned the truth, but Dean’s protection wasn’t limited to just on stage. He was the guardian angel of Judy’s daily life, too. Dean paid the rent for Judy’s house in Los Angeles. Medical bills, pharmacy costs, even grocery shopping.
Dean quietly handled everything, not telling anyone to protect Judy’s dignity. At the beginning of 1968, Judy’s condition worsened further. She now slept 18 hours a day. She wouldn’t eat, trying to survive only on liquid nutrition. Dean called her everyday checking on her condition. If she didn’t answer the phone, he would go to her house and knock on her door.
Dean, why do you care so much about me? Judy had asked once. Dean’s answer was simple. because you’re my friend and friends don’t abandon each other. But Dean’s motivation lay much deeper. He remembered the pain of losing his own mother. And in Judy, he saw the same helplessness, the same vulnerability. By the end of 1968, Judy’s mental state became even more critical.
At night, she would call Dean for hours, crying, saying her life was meaningless. Dean, I’m a joke. People come to see me because they want to watch how pathetic I am. Dean would talk to her for hours, reminding her of her life’s value. Judy, your voice touches millions of people. You’re a gift, not a tragedy. On these nights, Dean’s wife, Jean, would sometimes wake up to find Dean on the phone with Judy.
